Standard assembly for installing a lamp fixture



STANDARD ASSEMBLY FOR INSTALLING A LAMP FIXTURE Filed Dec. 51, 1956 P.W. HAN NA May 9, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. PA u W. H A NNA Z DZWTTO I I l I STANDARD ASSEMBLY FOR INSTALLING A LAMP FIXTURE Filed Dec.31, 1956 P. W. HANNA May 9, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. PA u L W. HAN NA kflaM/w ATTORNEY United States Patent STANDARD ASSEMBLY FORINSTALLING A LAIVIP FIXTURE Paul W. Hanna, 905 Calumet, Valparaiso, Ind.

Filed Dec. 31, 1956, Ser. No. 631,656

6 Claims. (Cl. 248-161) The invention relates generally to jacks orvertically adjustable posts and more particularly is directed ,to atelescoping standard assembly which is primarily adapted to support alarge fluorescent lamp fixture to facilitate installation or attachmentthereof to a ceiling.

The standard assembly, although constructed primarily for the above use,may be employed wherever applicable. For example, it may be utilized tosupport and facilitate the application of various building materials,such as plywood, ceiling and wall panels, and beams.

The standard assembly has proven satisfactory in actual use and includesmany unique principles of design and construction which offer advantageswith respect to economy of manufacture and assembly, adjustability,durability and efllciency in operation.

More particularly, an important object of the invention is to provide anassembly comprising, among'other things, a base and a standard which aredetachabl connected together in a novel manner to facilitate assemblythereof for use or disassembly for convenience in storage or shipment.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a base comprising ahousing or frame, preferably formed by a pair of plates, and a pluralityof legs having their inner ends secured between the plates in a mannerwhereby one leg is fixed and the others are pivotal so they may-be swungand locked in predetermined operative positions with respect to oneanother and the fixed leg to properly support the standard or toinoperative positions alongside the fixed leg to reduce the size of thebase for convenience in transporting the base, or for storage orshipping. The base is preferably provided with an upstanding socket fordetachably receiving the lower section of the standard.

A significant object of the invention is to provide a standardcomprising a tubular lower outer section preferably of square or oblongcross-section, an intermediate tubular section, preferably round incross-section, disposed in the outer section, and a center or uppertubular section, preferably square-in cross-section, disposed in theintermediate section. The outer section is preferably provided with areel and a pulley and the intermediate section with pulleys adjacent itsends, and a flexible element, such as a cable, is attached to the reeland extends between the three sections, over the pulleys and isconnected to the lower end of the center section in such a manner thatmanipulation of the reel in one direction will simultaneously cause theintermediate section to move outwardly from the outer section and thecenter section outwardly from the intermediate section. The reel isprovided with a ratchet mechanism for automatically detaining thesections in their respective extended positions.

An important object of the invention is to provide unique means forpreventing relative rotational movement between the sections and meansfor predetermining or limiting the extent of their outward telescopingor slidable movements. More specifically in this regard, an object is toprovide a mounting clamp for the pulley on the outer section whichserves to reenforce the upper end of this section and afiord a stop forlimiting the extent of the outward movement of the intermediate sectionand also provide a mounting clamp for the pulley on the upper end of theintermediate section which serves to re enforce this end and afford astop for limiting the extent of the outward movement of the centersection.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved reelstructure for the cable and means whereby the reel structure may bereadily adjusted for height on for this pulley which serves to reenforcethe lower end of the intermediate section.

Also, an object is to provide means on the lower end of the centersection for connection with the cable, which assists in centering andstabilizing the position of the center section.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rack or frame having ashaft which is received in the upper open end of the center section forrotatably supporting the rack. A

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent afterthe description hereinafter set forth is considered in conjunction withthe drawings annexed hereto which exemplify a preferred embodiment oftheinvention.

In the drawings:

Figure ,1 is a perspective view of the standard assembly comprising thebase and standard above referred to;

Figure 2 is an enlarged partial vertical section, with portions brokenaway to illustrate various structural details;

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 3-3 ofFigure 2 showing the mode of mounting the lower pulley on theintermediate section and the relationship of the pulley axle with theouter section;

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 44 ofFigure 2, depicting the manner of fastening the mounting for the pulleyon the upper end of the outer section, and the disposition of the cablebetween the outer and intermediate sections;

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken substantially on line 55 ofFigure 2 showing the manner of fastening the mounting for the pulley onthe upper end of the intermediate section; 1

Figure 6 is a transverse section taken through the center sectionshowing an abutment thereon for engaging the stop on the pulley mountingcarried by the upper end of the intermediate section;

Figure 7 is a transverse section taken through the intermediate sectionshowing an abutment thereon for engaging the stop on the pulley mountingcarried by the outer section;

Figure 8 is a partial perspective View showing the reel structure;

Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the reelstructure showing means for leveling the cable thereon;

Figure 10 is a top. view of the base with portions of the legs thereofbroken away to illustrate details of their. construction;

Figure 11 is an elevational view of the base as viewed from line 11--1'1of Figure 10; and

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a rack or support ascents" 3 adaptedfor connection with the center section of the standard.

The base of the standard assembly may be designed and' constructed invarious ways bu-t as' illustrated in the drawings; includes a housing orf ram'e comprising upper and lower triangular planar plates 1' and 2 andthree legs 3, 4 and 5 having their inner extremities secured between theplates as clearly shown in Figures 1, l and 11. A king bolt 6 extendsaxially through the center of the plates with its head disposed abovethe upper plate and overlying a washer thereon and its threaded endcarrying a wing nut below the lower plate for clamping the innerextremities of the legs between the plates. The leg 4 is preferablydetachably secured in a fixed position against the underside of theup'per plate by a pair of bolts 7 extending through the upper plateandthe' leg with the heads of the bolts bearing against the underside ofthe leg and disposed in clearanceopenings 8 provided the lower plate toassist in preventing relative rotation between the plates. I i V Thelegs 3 and are preferably pivotall mounted between the plates by boltsand respectively extending through the upper plates and the legs withthe heads of the bolts bearing against the legs and disposed inclearance openings provided in the lower plate. The nuts of the bolts 7,9 and 18 bear against the upper surface of the upper plate. With thisorganization of components the legs 3, 4 and 5 can be clamped againstthe upper plate by the bolts 7, 9 and 1t] and between the plates by theking bolt 6. It will also be evident that the bolts 6, 9 and 10constitute dual means which may be separately or jointly employed tofrictionally resist to some extent the pivotal movement of the legs 3and 5.

1 Locking means preferably in the form of a pair of elements 11 arerespectively employed for locking the pivotal legs 3 and 5 in equallyspaced apart relation to the fixed or stationary leg 4. Each elementincludes a shank 12 extending through aligned holes in the plates and anarched or offset upper extremity having a downturned end 13 which isadapted to extend through aligned holes 14 and 15 respectively providedin the upper plate and a leg for locking the legs against pivotalmovement. A cotter pin 16 extends through the lower end of the shank ofeach element to detachably secure the element to the plates. The offsetends of the elements also serve as handles for convenience inmanipulating the elements to look the legs in their full line standardsupporting positions as shown in Figures 1, 10 and 11 or to unlock thelegs 3 and 5 so they may be swung in parallel relation alongside thefixed leg 4 as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 10 in order tofacilitate transportation of the base, storage or shipment.

The outer ends of the legs are preferably provided with casters toassist in moving the standard assembly about in use and the upper plateis provided with an upstanding member preferably in the form of atubular socket 17, which is preferably anchored to the upper plate aboutthe head of the king pin 6 by welding as indicated at 18 in Figures 10and 11. This socket is preferably square in cross-section and of aheight to receive, stabilize and hold the outer section of the standardassembly against rotation in the socket.

The standard of the assembly may be designed and constructed in variousways but as depicted herein, in cludes a lower outer section 19,preferably square in cross-section for reception in the socket 17 of thebase, an intermediate section 20, preferably round incross-section,slidable in the lower section, an upper or center section2i, preferably square in cross-section slidable in the intermediatesection, and a rack 22 having a shaft 23 pivotally mounted in the upperopen end of the center section.

The outer section of thestandard is provided with a r e st u e -P ms e ld u s unt d a shaft 25, the latter being journalle'd on a pair ofbracket members 26 having four bolts extending therethrough, as shown inFigure 8, in straddling relationship to the section for adjustablyclamping the members to the section at any height desired below theupper end of the section. The drum is preferably provided with radialend flanges 27 and 28. The flange 27 is provided with a notch 29 and atapered or flared recess 30 spaced from the notch to form anintermediate portion 31. This intermediate portion is provided with ahole 32 through which one end of a wire cable 33 extends so that afastener 34 can be attached thereto for disposition in the notch tosecure the cable to the drum and so that a surface of the flared recesswill assist in causing the cable to level wind on the drum. The otherflange 28 is preferably provided with ratchet teeth 35 for selectiveengagement with a gravity operated pivotally mounted pawl 36 forautomatically locking the drum against accidental reverse ro ration asthe drum is rotated to wind the cable thereon. Lifting of the pawl willrelease the drum for reverse roration to permit the intermediate andcenter sections to be lowered. A crank 37 is attached to the shaft ofthe drum for operating the drum.

A mounting is detachably secured to the upper end of the outer section19 of the standard for supporting a pulley 38 having an axle 39 disposedin parallel relation to the shaft 25 of the drum. This mountingpreferably includes a pair of generally V-shaped clamping members 4% and41 for conforming to and reenforcing the upper end of the outer section.These members are provided with corresponding oifset cars 42 throughwhich bolts 43 extend for firmly detachably securing the members to thesection. Each member is also provided with a pair of inturned portions44 which rest upon the upper end of the outer section and preventdownward movement of the members. One of the portions 44 also seives asa stop which may be engaged by an abutment &5 provided on theintermediate section, as evidenced in Figures 2 and 7, for limiting theextent of the outward telescoping movement of the intermediate section.The clamping member 49 is provided with an upstanding integral formation46 having a partial peripheral flange 47 cooperating with the pulley 38to retain the cable on the pulley and also a depending portion having asurface as which may assist in guiding the cable in one of the generallytriangular spaces 49 formed by the difference in crosssectionalcharacteristics of the outer and intermediate sections, as depicted inFigure 4. The upstanding formation 46 supports the pulley in asubstantially tangential relationship to the intermediate section 2t) soas to guide the cable centrally in the space 49. Attention is directedto the fact that the abutment 45 on the intermediate section is of asize and shape for disposition in an adjacent similar space between theouter and intermediate sections and serves to prevent relative rotationbetween these particular sections. It should also be noted that the axle39 for the pulley 38 is preferably made in the form of a screw.

The intermediate section 20 of the standard is provided with a mountingat its upper end for supporting a pulley 50 carried by an axle 51disposed in parallel relation to the shaft and axle of the drum 24 andpulley 38. This mounting includes an annular collar 52 which surroundsand reenforces the upper end of the intermediate section and a radialinturned annular flange 53 which rests on the end of the section toprevent downward movement of the mounting on the section. A pair ofdiametrically disposed bolts 54 and 55 extend through the collar andintermediate section for detachably securing the mounting to thesection. The bolts have heads disposed in opposed spaces 56 of fourspaces formed between the intermediate and center sections as a resultof the difference in their cross-sectional characteristics. The heads ofthese bolts assist in preventing relative re ion b t een. t ef s and nerme i sa ism and the head of the bolt 55 may also serve as a stop whichmay, be engaged by an abutment 57 provided on the center section 21 asdepicted in Figures 2 and 6 for limiting the extent of the telescopingoutward movement of the center section.

The mounting on the intermediate section also includes an upstandingformation or housing having a back wall 58 and an arch shaped flange 59.The back wall supports the axle for the pulley and the flange assists inretaining the cable on the pulley and in guiding the cable in one of thespaces 56, as shown in Figures 2 and 5. The mounting is further providedwith a wheel or roller 60 adjacent the pulley for guiding the cable inone of the spaces 49 between the intermediate and outer sections.

The lower end of the intermediate section 20 is provided with aplug-like mounting 61 having a reduced cylindrical portion 62 which issecured in the section with a shoulder on the mounting engaging the endof the section. This mounting is provided with a bifurcation Withinwhich a pulley 63 is journalled on an axle 64 which has ends projectingbe'yond'the mounting for disposition in opposed spaces 49 between theouter and intermediate sections, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Theprojecting ends of the axle assist in preventing relative rotationbetween the intermediate and outer sections. Attention is directed tothe fact that the mounting or flange 59 thereon and/ or the pulley mayalso assist in preventing relative rotation between the intermediate andouter sections, as depicted in Figure 5.

The lower end of the center section 21 of the standard is preferablyprovided with an aperture 65 through which the inner end of the cableextends, as illustrated in Figure 2. A connector 66 is attached to theend of the cable to form a loop which receives a cross member 67extending transversely through the center section with its endsprojecting laterally therefrom for disposition in opposed spaces 56between the center and intermediate sections so they may assist incentering the center section in the intermediate section.

The cable 33 extends upwardly from the drum 24, over the pulley 38,downwardly mom of the spaces '49 between the outer and intermediatesections, about the pulley 63, and upwardly in an opposed space 49between the sections as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, between the wheel60 and pulley 50 and over the latter, and downwardly in a space 56between the intermediate and center sections with its inner end attachedto the cross member 67 on the center section, as shown in Figures 2, 4and 5, so that when the drum is rotated by the crank 37 the intermediateand center sections will be simultaneously telescoped at least duringpart of their travel outwardly with respect to one another and the outersection as shown in Figure 1. When the reel is first rotated in a cablewinding direction, the intermediate and center sections are usually bothraised and when the intermediate section approaches or reaches itsuppermost position the center section begins to slide upwardly andoutwardly from the intermediate section. When the pawl is manipulated torelease the reel for rotation to unwind the cable the center sectionusually slides back into the intermediate section and as it approachesor reaches its lowermost position the intermediate section begins todescend therewith into the outer section.

The rack 22, above referred to, may be designed and constructed tosupport various items but as shown, includes a frame having a pair ofcorresponding bowed rods 68 secured intermediate their ends to theshaft. The outer ends of the rods are preferably tied together by a pairof bridge members 69 having upturned ends, all for supporting arelatively large fluorescent lamp fixture.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousmodifications may be made in the same without departing from the spiritof the invention, and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself 75 tions.

6 to theexact form, construction, arrangement, and conibination of partsherein shown and described.

I claim: 1. A standard assembly comprising a base and a standard havinga tubular outer section attached to the base, a tubular intermediatesection slidable in the outer section, a center section slidable in theintermediate seclimiting outward movement of the intermediate section, areel attachedto the outer section at a location below the mountingassembly, mounting means attached to the upper end of the intermediatesection and a pulley carried by this mounting means, said mounting meansbeing cooperable with said center section and the abutment thereon forpreventing relative rotation between the in.- termediate and centersections and limiting outward move ment of the center section, amounting attached to the lower end of the intermediate section and apulley carried by this mounting, a cable extending lengthwise betweenthe sections, over the pulleys and having its ends respectivelyconnected to the reel and lower extremity of the center section so thatmanipulating the reel in one direction will shorten the effective lengthof the cable and simultaneously raise the intermediate and centersections.

2. A standard assembly comprising a base and a standard having a tubularouter section attached to the base, a tubular intermediate sectionslidable in the outer section, a center section slidable in theintermediate section and provided with an abutment, a mounting assemblyattached to-the upper end of the outer section, a pulley carried by themounting assembly, a reel attached to the outer section at' a locationbelow the mounting assembly, mounting means attached to the upper end ofthe intermediate section and a pulley carried by this mounting means,said mounting means being cooperable with said center section and theabutment thereon for preventing relative rotation between theintermediate and center sections and limiting outward movement of thecenter section, a mounting attached to the lower end of the intermediatesection and a pulley carried by this mounting, a cable extendinglengthwise between the sections, over the pulleys and having its endsrespectively connected to the reel and lower extremity of the centersection so that manipulating the reel in one direction will shorten theefiective length of the cable and simultaneously raise the intermediateand center sections.

3. A standard assembly comprising a base and a standard having a tubularouter section attached to the base, a tubular intermediate sectionslidable in the outer section, a center section slidable in theintermediate section and provided with an abutment, a mounting assemblyattached to the upper end of the outer section, a pulley carried by themounting assembly, means on the intermediate section cooperable with theouter section and the mounting assembly for preventing relative rotation7 between the outer and intermediate sections and limiting outwardmovement of the intermediate section, a reel attached to the outersection at a location below the mounting assembly, mounting meansattached to the upper end of the intermediate section and a pulleycarried by this mounting means, a mounting attached to the lower end ofthe intermediate section and a pulley carried by this mounting, a cableextending lengthwise between the sections, over the pulleys and havingits ends respectively connected to the reel and lower extremity of thecenter section so that manipulating the reel in one direction willshorten the effective length of the cable and simultaneously raise theintermediate and center sec- 4. A standard assembly comprising a base,andastandard having a tubular outer sectionattached to the'base, atubularintermediate ,seqt Onslidableliu ,the outer section, a centersectionslidable in theinte'rmediate section and provided with anabutment, a mounting assembly attached to the upper ,end of the outersection, a pulley carried by the mounting assembly, means on theintermediate section cooperable with the mounting assembly for limitingoutward movement of the intermediate section, a reel attached to theouter section at a location below the mounting assembly, mountingmeansattached to the upper end of the intermediate section and a pulleycarried by this mounting means, said mounting means being cooperablewith the abutment on the center section for limiting outward movement ofthe center section, a mounting attached to the lower end of theintermediate section and a pulley carried by this mounting, a cableextending lengthwise between the sections, over the pulleys and havingits ends respectively connected to the reel and lower extremity of thecenter section so that manipulating the reel in one direction willshorten the 'eflective length of the cable and simultaneously raise theintermediate and center sections.

5. A standard for use with a base, said standard comprising a tubularouter section, substantially square in cross-section, a pulley mountedadjacent the upper end of the outer section and a reel attached to theouter section below the pulley, a tubular intermediate section,substantially circular in cross-section, slidable in the outer section,pulleys respectively mounted at the upper and lower ends of theintermediate section, a tubular center section, substantially square incross-section, slidable in the intermediate section, a cabletconnectedto the reel and mounted on the pulley carried by the outer section andhaving a length extending downwardly between the outer and intermediatesections and mounted on the pulley at the lower end of the intermediatesection, a length extending upwardly between the outer and intermediatesections and mounted on the pulley carried by the upper end of theintermediate section and a' length extending downwardlybetweeutheintermediate and center sections and having its inner end connectedtothecenter sectipn so that manipulation of the reel will''siniultaneouslylra se prising a tubular outer section, substantiallysquare in cross-section, a stop provided on the outer section, areelattached to the outer section below the stop, a tubular intermediatesection, substantially circular in cross-section, slidable in the outersection, pulleys respectively mounted at the upper andlower ends of theintermediate section, a tubular center section, substantially square incross-section, slidable in the intermediate section, means on theintermediate section cooperable with the outer section and the stopforpreventing relative rotationbetween the intermediate and outersections and limiting outward movement of the intermediate section, acable connected to the reel and havinga length extending downwardlybetween the outer and intermediate sections and mounted on the pulley atthe lower end of the intermediate section, a length extending upwardlybetween the outer and intermediate sections and mounted on the pulleycarried by the upper end of the intermediate section and a lengthextending downwardly between the intermediate and center sections andhaving its inner end connected to the center section so thatmanipulation of the reel will simultaneously raise the intermediate andcenter sections with respect .to one another and the outer section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS165,038 Spencer June 29, 1875 838,891 Olney Dec. 18, 1906 963,237 MiltonJuly 5, 1910 1,657,179 Reinsperg Jan. 24, 1928 1,708,761. Horbath Apr.9, 1929 1,863,756 Lnfkin June 21, 1932 2,484,982 Coutant Oct. 18, 19492,634,075 Mayzel e Apr. 7, 1953

